Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Campfire Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a new and useful eco-friendly campfire apparatus. This apparatus comprises reclaimed and repurposed eco-friendly components and is believed to be useful by offering a complete set of materials needed to create a campfire which emits no toxic chemicals. The apparatus comprises a container which is a reclaimed and repurposed animal feed sack having a front wall and a back wall defining an interior therein. The container is sealed by using a sealing means which can be untreated natural twine or thread. Inside the container is a plurality of combustible materials that are generally uniformly dispersed and include reclaimed kiln-dried, natural, toxin-free, wood logs, reclaimed kindling including hickory nuts and twigs, and pine shavings. An igniting means is also provided and affixed to the exterior front wall of the apparatus. The self-contained nature of the apparatus makes it easy to transport and store when not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is in the technical field of incendiary apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of campfire apparatus. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of portable, eco-friendly and sustainable campfire apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Building campfires is part of the American heritage. The task of building a campfire has been taught since the birth of the nation to pioneers, military servicemen, members of youth programs like the Boy Scouts of America, hobbyists, campers, survivalists and the like. Currently, there is a need for campfire apparatus to facilitate the process and to be used by occasional campers, excursion groups and other similarly situated individuals. Without a self-contained apparatus, individuals seeking to create a campfire must purchase or forage for materials themselves, including fuel accelerant, an ignition source, kindling and wood.

Oftentimes, the quality of the foraged materials are compromised or rendered inoperable by the elements such as weather including humidity and rain. Also, many of the current campfire materials available to consumers is made of synthetic or toxic chemicals and accelerants, thereby rendering the resultant fire useless for the purpose of cooking—and in some cases has been linked to inhalation related distress and even ingestion poisoning. Finally, the length of time or expense to collect these items individually are disproportionate to the benefit, or keep the cold camper from attaining warmth in a practical and speedy time frame.

Further, the tradition of being a nature enthusiast and/or a more eco-conscious consumer dictates a need for camping and campfire related implements that are eco-friendly or green. That is to say that they should maximize the use of reclaimed, recycled or sustainable elements, while also minimizing impact to the environment when used. In the case of a campfire device, it is tantamount that the materials leave a minimal impact on the campsite when used and do not release toxins into the environment, or use petrochemicals or processed or artificial ingredients.

In the applicant's experience there is a deficiency in the existing and prior art wherein there currently are no eco-friendly, sustainable campfire apparatus or devices that are self-contained, easily transportable by one person to the burn site, and provides all the necessary elements to create a campfire made wholly or predominantly from eco-friendly or green materials. The apparatus of the present invention is believed to accomplish all of the foregoing objectives.

Although easy to light fire logs are available on the market, for example those sold under the trade name “duraflame,” the nature of the ingredients still pose toxic hazards to users and their pets. Allegedly, the new “Green Formula” duraflame logs have an oil compound in them which smells like food to dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (“ASPCA”) emergency poison control line reportedly receives phone calls about dogs eating the “Green Formula” logs. The ASPCA is conducting inquiries into the matter. Finally, many of the currently available fire logs still remain contraindicated as a fuel source for cooking.

There is a fire starting assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,440 B1. The assembly disclosed in the patent is in a combustible container wherein combustible materials are contained. However this item does not teach nor is intended to be an eco-friendly device. This device leaves refuse, does not have a lighting means attached to the kit, and the materials therein include paper as kindling. Paper is an inferior kindling or fire-starting material because it is consumed quickly without passing heat or flame to surrounding elements in a predictable or efficient fashion.

Most importantly, this device fails to address prohibitions against the burning of cardboard—a primary component of the invention. Cardboard is made with harsh paper manufacturing chemicals. For that and other reasons, the United States Fire Administration and the Department of Homeland Security strongly discourage the burning of cardboard for any purpose.

There is a self-contained log fire starting kit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,854. The kit disclosed therein is also comprised of cardboard—a contraindicated material for the purpose of eco-friendly use. Also, the kit in the 854 patent is open to the elements. The combustible materials in this invention are merely collected and carried in a cardboard carrier with handles. They sit atop the carrier and can be dampened by exterior elements, otherwise compromised, disheveled or fall out of the carrier during transport. On the whole the two foregoing patents do not seem to address the needs of the modern eco-conscious user.

In the applicant's experience, there is a need for a campfire apparatus which is i) self-contained, ii) easily transportable by one person to the burn site, iii) provides all the necessary elements to create a campfire, iv) is simple to use, v) is green or eco-friendly, vi) burns without releasing toxins, vi) leaves no waste and vi) is made from reclaimed or repurposed items. The apparatus of the present invention is believed to accomplish all of the foregoing objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and useful sustainable and eco-friendly campfire apparatus. This device is believed to be useful by offering a complete set of materials needed to create an instant campfire which emits no toxic chemicals and is comprised of all eco-friendly products. Current systems on the market for campfires do not concern or consider the environmental or health impacts of use. For example current campfire kits include cardboard casings and logs made with chemical accelerants. Cardboard is made with harsh paper product chemicals and the United States Fire Administration and the Department of Homeland Security strongly discourage the burning of cardboard for any purpose.

A device according to the present invention provides a simple and convenient way to make a campfire without the user having to collect or gather the individual components herself. This self-contained convenience is especially important due to the restriction in national parks which prohibit a camper from collecting wood or kindling from the surrounding environment. The self-contained nature of the apparatus also makes it easy to transport and store when not in use.

The physical size and nature of the contents produces a controllable, contained, and relatively small fire. Larger fires or components with accelerants or toxic materials can invite hazards, including unintended secondary fires, and ingestion or inhalation of harmful chemicals by the attendants. Further, because the components of the present invention are all eco-friendly and toxin free, cooking over the fire can be easily and safely accomplished.

In one of its basic embodiments the present invention comprises a container which is a reclaimed and repurposed animal feed sack having a front wall and a back wall defining an interior therein. The container is sealed by using a sealing means which can be untreated natural twine or thread joining the front wall and back wall of the container by perforation or stitching thereby creating a plurality of seams and edges. Inside the interior of the container is a plurality of combustible materials that are generally uniformly dispersed throughout the interior of the container. These combustible materials include reclaimed kiln-dried, natural, toxin-free, wood logs, reclaimed kindling including hickory nuts and twigs, and pine shavings. An igniting means is also provided in the form of a matchbook affixed to the exterior front wall of the apparatus.

In another embodiment of the present invention the container, which is a repurposed animal feed sack, has walls which are formed by a plurality of layers, including paper and an optional thin interior polyethylene layer with accelerant and moisture abating properties. Polyethylene is an environmentally friendly plastic that is used throughout the food packaging industry for its purity and non-toxic properties. It has the same accelerant and heating properties as oil, but does not produce toxic effects or byproducts. It has a very simple molecular structure that does not require chemical additives (as opposed to vinyl/PVC and polyurethane). Its use is recommended by environmental groups all over the world.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of perforations along the container walls allow air to reach the combustible materials therein.

In another embodiment of the present invention the logs are dipped or covered with a wax coating having accelerant and moisture abating properties. The wax coating can be food grade paraffin, bees wax, coconut wax, or an equivalent—and is intended to be eco-friendly and non-toxic.

When the apparatus is in use, the user places the apparatus in a safe and approved location, for example a fire pit or ring. The user then palpates or manipulates the bag to evenly distribute the interior contents. Once distributed, the user then positions the bag upright, with the bottom seam and bottom edge touching the bottom surface of the pit or ring. The top seam is positioned pointing upwards to the sky. The user then removes the top seam by pulling the stitch or sealing means across top edge of the apparatus—exposing the interior and contents to the open air. The user then removes the affixed book of matches or equivalent lighting means and then begins lighting the bag in a variety of places including the walls and optionally the interior contents. Finally, the user allows the apparatus to ignite and burn into an appropriately sized and controlled fire.

Thus the present invention is believed to provide a new and useful apparatus that is i) self-contained, ii) easily transportable by one person to the burn site, iii) provides all the necessary elements to create a campfire, iv) is simple to use, v) is green or eco-friendly, vi) burns without releasing toxins, vi) leaves no waste and vi) is made from reclaimed or repurposed items.

Further features and objectives of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front cut away view of the apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As described above, the present invention provides a new and useful sustainable and eco-friendly campfire apparatus which is self-contained, easily transportable by one person to the burn site, provides all the necessary elements to create a campfire, is simple to use and most importantly is substantially or wholly constructed using green or eco-friendly materials that have been reclaimed or repurposed and do not release toxins when burned. The following description and accompanying drawings disclose at least one version of such a device.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there is shown a sustainable and eco-friendly campfire apparatus shown generally 1, comprising a container 2 wherein said container is a reclaimed and repurposed animal feed sack having a front wall 3 and a back wall 4 defining an interior 5 therein. The aforementioned front wall 3 and back wall 4 of the feed sack are comprised of a plurality of layers, including paper and an optional thin interior polyethylene layer with accelerant and moisture abating properties. A plurality of sealing means present. A top sealing means 6 and a bottom sealing means 15 run along the relative top and bottom aspects of the container 2. Said sealing means can be untreated natural twine or thread joining the front wall 3 and back wall 4 of the container 2 by perforation or stitching thereby creating a top seam 7 and bottom seam 13, as well as a top edge 8 and bottom edge 14. A plurality of combustible materials are generally and uniformly dispersed throughout the interior 5 of the container 2. Said combustible materials include reclaimed, kiln-dried, natural, toxin-free wood logs 9, reclaimed kindling 10 including hickory nuts and twigs, and pine shavings 11. An igniting means 12 is affixed to the exterior front wall 3 of the container 2 of the apparatus 1. The igniting means 12 can be a matchbook.

The dimensions of the apparatus 1 can be any size however, one embodiment of the present invention when presented upright, as in for use, preferably ranges from sixteen to twenty-four inches wide along the edge 8 and is ten to twenty-four inches tall. The natural characteristics of the interior contents, specifically the combustible materials therein, make a uniform size unlikely and thereby dictated by natural constraints and variances. It is envisioned that the logs in one embodiment of the present invention measure roughly 16 inches long and 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

One embodiment of the present invention further comprises an optional plurality of perforations 17 along the container 2 walls 3 and 4 to allow air to reach the combustible materials therein.

One embodiment further comprises an optional wax coating 16 with accelerant and moisture abating properties around the logs 9, wherein said wax coating 16 can be food grade paraffin, bees wax, coconut wax or an equivalent.

To use the apparatus 1, the user places the apparatus in a safe and approved location, for example a fire pit or ring. The user then palpates or manipulates the container 2 to evenly distribute the combustible materials in the interior 5. Once distributed, the user then positions the apparatus 1 upright, with the bottom seam 13 and bottom edge 14 below—touching the bottom surface of the pit or ring. The top seam 7 is positioned pointing upwards to the sky. The user then removes the top seam 7 by pulling the stitch or sealing means 6 across top edge 8 of the apparatus—exposing the interior 5 and combustible materials, including wood 9, kindling 10 and shavings 11 to the open air. The user then removes the affixed book of matches or equivalent igniting means 12 and then begins lighting the container 2 in a variety or places including the front wall 3 and back wall 4 and optionally the contents in the interior 5. Finally, the user allows the apparatus 1 to ignite and burn into an appropriately sized and controlled fire.

One embodiment of the present invention provides for the placement of a logo, trade name, instructions for use, advertising media, or even decorative elements on the front wall 3 and back wall 4 of the apparatus. It is envisioned that that applied inks, paint or pattern also be eco-friendly in composition, for example food dye.

The previously described versions of the present invention have many advantages, including and without limitation, the properties of being i) self-contained, ii) easily transportable by one person to the burn site, iii) provides all the necessary elements to create a campfire, iv) is simple to use, v) is green or eco-friendly, vi) burns without releasing toxins, vi) leaves no waste and vi) is made from reclaimed or repurposed items. The apparatus of the present invention is believed to accomplish all of the foregoing objectives. The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. As for “means for” elements, the applicant intends to encompass within the language any structure presently existing or developed in the future that performs the same function. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sustainable and eco-friendly campfire apparatus comprising: a) a container, said container is a reclaimed and repurposed animal feed sack having a front wall and a back wall defining an interior therein, said walls of the feed sack are formed by a plurality of layers, including paper and an optional thin interior polyethylene layer with accelerant and moisture abating properties; b) a sealing means, said sealing means is untreated natural twine or thread joining the front and back sides of the container by perforation or stitching thereby creating a seam or edge; c) a plurality of combustible materials, said combustible materials are generally uniformly dispersed throughout the interior of the container, said combustible materials include reclaimed kiln-dried, natural, toxin-free, wood logs, reclaimed kindling including hickory nuts and twigs, and pine shavings; and d) an igniting means, said igniting means is a matchbook affixed to the exterior front wall of the apparatus.
 2. A campfire apparatus comprising: a) a container, having a plurality of connected walls defining an interior therein; b) a sealing means connecting the walls together; c) a plurality of combustible materials within the interior of the apparatus; and d) an igniting means attached to the container.
 3. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the container is a reclaimed and repurposed animal feed sack.
 4. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the sealing means is untreated natural twine or thread joining the walls of the container by perforation or stitching thereby creating a seam or edge.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the combustible materials comprise logs, kindling and shavings.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the igniting means is a matchbook.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the logs are kiln-dried, natural, toxin-free wood logs.
 8. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the kindling comprises hickory nuts and twigs.
 9. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the shavings are pine shavings.
 10. The apparatus as in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a plurality of perforations along the container walls to allow air to reach the combustible materials therein.
 11. The apparatus as in claim 1 or 5 further comprising a wax coating with accelerant and moisture abating properties around the logs; said wax coating can be food grade paraffin, bees wax, or coconut wax.
 12. A method of lighting a campfire using the sustainable and eco-friendly campfire apparatus which comprises: a) placing the apparatus in a safe and approved location, for example a fire pit; b) palpating or manipulating the bags to evenly distribute the interior contents; c) positioning the bag upright with one seam edge below and one seam edge above; d) removing the top sealing means thereby opening the bag and exposing the interior contents to air; e) removing the book of matches from the front of the apparatus; f) striking a match and lighting the bag in a variety of places including the walls of the apparatus and optionally interior contents; and g) allowing the apparatus to ignite and burn into an appropriately sized, controlled fire. 